Rondo is on the attack for Celts

About an hour before Sunday's playoff opener against the New York Knicks, the whiteboard in the Celtics' locker room at TD Garden revealed the objectives for the night. Half the board was filled with a list of defensive points of emphasis. The offensive side of the board listed only one word: "Attack."

About an hour before Sunday's playoff opener against the New York Knicks, the whiteboard in the Celtics' locker room at TD Garden revealed the objectives for the night.

Half the board was filled with a list of defensive points of emphasis. The offensive side of the board listed only one word: "Attack."

Celtics assistant coach Armond Hill later added a couple of more thoughts with his marker, but it was clear the game plan centered around pushing the ball and being aggressive against one of the worst defenses in the league.

That meant the game plan centered around Rajon Rondo.

Rondo responded in spurts in Game 1 when he took 14 shots and finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in 43 minutes of an 87-85 victory. But in Game 2 on Tuesday, Rondo responded in a way the Celtics likely need for an extended postseason run. He tore through the New York defense for 14 points in the first eight minutes of the game, and finished with a playoff career-high 30 points to go with seven assists in a 96-93 triumph.

"At first we did a pretty good job rebounding and I tried to take advantage," said Rondo after yesterday's short film session at the team's practice facility. "I knew (Knicks starting point guard) Toney Douglas had one foul early, so I kept getting him in transition. I wanted to attack him because I knew they were short at the point guard position."

Rondo wound up attempting 23 shots - three more than he had in any regular season game. He also took seven free throws - a total he tied or eclipsed only twice in the regular season.

While the idea of parading a 56.8 percent foul shooter to the line throughout a game may not sound like a winning strategy, Rondo's willingness to drive to the basket, take the hit when it comes, and confront his free throw demons makes him a more dangerous passer and eliminates him as an offensive liability in a halfcourt set.

"We need him to play at a better speed," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said before the series began. "That's not just Rondo. That's everyone. But it starts with Rondo."

It's something he didn't do frequently enough late in the regular season when he often looked bored and disengaged on offense. But it's something he's said he is ready and willing to do more in the playoffs.

"It's impossible for 82 games for me to do that," Rondo admitted. "Different teams have different schemes. Honestly, (the Knicks) strength is not defense. ... It's not going to be that easy every night playing the Knicks, but (Tuesday) night was one of those nights I thought I could attack."

Page 2 of 2 - Rondo has played 85 minutes over the first two playoff games, but said he isn't concerned about excessive playing time in the postseason with days off between every game. He added that he's learning ways to conserve energy during games with the help of backup point guard, and sometimes backcourt-mate, Delonte West.

"When Delonte comes in," he said, "he takes pressure off me. I don't have to pick up the ball. I am off the ball a little more defensively and that gives me a boost in transition."

The effect is the difference between a stagnant, ineffective Celtics offense and an efficient offense with constant ball movement. And, like most things with the Celtics, it begins on the defensive end.

"Whenever we get a stop I find the energy," Rondo said. "It's frustrating when a team scores. You try to stay positive and keep the momentum. But it's frustrating when a team keeps scoring against you.

"But when we get stops, I will have the energy I need."

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Contrary to a report circulating yesterday morning that Shaquille O'Neal may be done for the season, Rivers said O'Neal plans to test his sore right leg today to determine whether he will travel to New York for tomorrow's Game 3 and Sunday's Game 4.

While Rivers said O'Neal won't play tomorrow, the coach said he's been told O'Neal is getting closer to a return.

"He's had improvement," Rivers said. "I don't know how much. I'm just going by what Dr. (Brian) McKeon is telling me that he has some."

The team will not practice today and instead leave early in the afternoon for New York.

"If we take him on the trip that means he's really close," Rivers said. "If he goes, that means we think he'll play on Sunday."

O'Neal was in Waltham for the film review yesterday, and ducked his head out of the trainer's room during a pickup game among the reserves, but did not speak to the media.

(Scott Souza is a Daily News staff writer. He can be reached at 781-398-8006 or ssouza@wickedlocal.com.)